ANNIVERSARY LETTER

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10578, 8 March 1912, Page 7

ANNIVERSARY LETTER

TO ALL SEDGWICK 80YS

The following into resting anniversary tatter has been sent to the Sedgwick Boys:— 26 Oriental Street, Poplar, London E., January St, 1912.

Dear Comrades, — A year ago today alt the members of our party set foot on iXevv Zealand soil for the iirst ,time, and according to -the most recent reports, both public- and private, thoy have, with two exceptions, given satisfaction to tibair employers, and have proved that town lacL are the best that can !be had on colonial farms, and there is nothing to prevent them all becoming wel' settled colonists on their own- holdings in a few years' time. The excellence of the arrangements made iby the -Labour Department and the good feeling of the employers have also stood the test of time.

As, (hiring the past year, your clothing, .travelling, food and othor expenses have cost several hundred pounds, I think tlio people in the towns should now realise how important it is to them to get other lads into the country where they are wanted, and where local supply cannot fulfil the demand. 1 have already written to you as to how to arrange for getting out yoiir •brothers and sisters at- nominated passage rat<V', and I should not be surprised if the Immigration Department at AVellington 'allowed you to nominate your .mates as well, provided there was definite work waiting for them in your district-. You could arrange for •them to repay the- amount of their fares ,to you. 'Having 'begun so well, I feel confii dejit that all the Sedgwick Boys will do even still Ibetter in the following j year, ill you have any photograps ta-' ken of yourselves, I hope you each will send me a copy. One year's teetotalism expires to-day, but I propo e to keep it up, and hope you will join me in renewing the pledge for another twelve months. Let one know what' you each decide. The last six months at Homo have been a weary aiitl difficult time, but the results have exceeded m'y most sanguine hopes. All the Colonial Authorities, Ibofcli at Home and Overseas, have realised the value of town •boys on farms. The Home Authorities will, I hope, soon begin to assist the? migration of steady lads and lasses to the Overseas 'Dominions, without their qualifying for such assistance by becoming "unemployed" or "paupers," and I have circulated reports and manifestos to the 600 Boards of •Guardians and a thousand individuals, have written articles in various papers and journals, have interviewed several hundreds of people privately, and lectured on New Zeala,nd at numerous ■{•centres, both in London and in the country. As a result- I have how nearly all the money I need for the next party, and can raise the fares for 500 Ibpys/'vif necessary. xOne friend has promised to pay for the fares of some parties of girls, and a quartette of gentlemen have adopted the scheme for one portion of Australia. Birmingham and Manchester will soon be in line with Liverpool, and I hope Bristol and other towrt.s will follo)v suit. We are arranging some big boys' meetings in London and elsewhere. The scheme is rapidly developing. In fact, it would not surprise me if 1000 lads and lasses sought brighter lives and prospects witlriu the Empire during 1912, and more next year. I could have done nothing had you boys failed, and. all the credit J therefore belongs to yon. > I hops you all write home regularly, and shall be glad to hear from you 1 all when you have time to write, but' letters home are the [first duty in correspondence. If possible, I will look] you all up this year .especially those I did not see last year, as I hope and believe the 'Xe wZealand Government will soon authorise another party being 'brought out under similar arrangements. Please give my best regards to your emoiovers.—l tjemain, etc., ' THOS. K. SEDGWICK.